Citizen critics pick the best movies of 2011

By Union-Tribune
| 6 a.m.Dec. 30, 2011

In Jackson, Mississippi in 1963, Aibileen Clark (Viola Davis, left) and Minny Jackson (Octavia Spencer) take a risk that could have profound consequences for them both in &quot;The Help&quot;, based on the New York Times best-selling novel by Kathryn Stockett. Photo: Dale Robinette/DreamWorks

In Jackson, Mississippi in 1963, Aibileen Clark (Viola Davis, left) and Minny Jackson (Octavia Spencer) take a risk that could have profound consequences for them both in "The Help", based on the New York Times best-selling novel by Kathryn Stockett. Photo: Dale Robinette/DreamWorks

The Union-Tribune’s Citizen Critics sat through a year of movies ranging from the great (“The Help”), to the confusing (“Anonymous”), to the lukewarm (“Larry Crowne”), to the just plain bad (“The Sitter”).

Here are their favorite movies of 2011:

‘Buck’

The movie genre that caught most of my attention this year is the documentary, and from that group my favorite by far was “Buck.” This film about Buck Brannaman the real-life horse whisperer is fabulous. He is an inspiration, not only in his communication, understanding and compassion with horses but also in how he overcame the unbelievable adversity of his abusive childhood. The connection between man and horse is a large focus of the film, but it is also about sensitivity and respect for every living being. Buck’s poetic grace is felt throughout, and it is remarkable to see how truly gifted he is and what an extraordinary life he has created. This is the best 88 minutes I spent in a theater this year!

‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2’

My favorite movie this year was definitely “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.” As a huge Harry Potter fan, I liked how it stayed very true to the book. There were a lot of action scenes that were very exciting and intense, such as when the dragon escaped from Gringotts and the many battle scenes. It was even more thrilling when it was presented in 3-D. Random humor offered a bit of comic relief during the scary parts. It was fun when the audience applauded several times at favorite characters’ triumphs, such as when Mrs. Weasley battled Bellatrix. It’s been great seeing the Harry Potter characters grow, and this movie wrapped up the series nicely.

— Jeffrey Yarush, 13, Valley Center Middle School eighth-grader

‘The Help’

This was a beautiful adaptation of an excellent book that showed how very much discrimination there was against domestic help in Mississippi in the 1950s and 1960s, and by inference how much our society needed to change. This movie also showed that the expectations that were thrust upon many people in Southern society at that time were impossible to fulfill.

— Scotty Schuetz, 64, Del Cerro Realtor

My favorite movie of 2011 is “The Help,” because it was entertaining, but so much more than that. It adeptly brought to life a painful part of American history, gently softening the sting with delightful humor, which made the movie enjoyable. “The Help” allows the viewer to experience part of American history in a way history books don’t. The individual stories are very well done.

— Heidi Atienza, 41, Del Cerro Realtor, mother of three

The story and acting were both superb. The movie and book tell the story about maids in Jackson, Miss., in 1961. Except they aren’t just maids, they are also cooks and nannies, raising white children when they don’t have time to raise their own. Viola Davis is a maid who comes from a long family of maids and house slaves. Octavia Spencer is great as her best friend who is also a maid. Emma Stone as Skeeter comes home from college and is hired to do a cleaning column, but she needs help writing it from Viola Davis’ character. Afterward, she starts writing “The Help” by interviewing the maids, this is the beginning of a real problem.

— Judy Trussell, 65, Lakeside, retired management analyst

In this image released by Paramount Pictures, Asa Butterfield portrays Hugo Cabret in a scene from "Hugo." The film, adapted from Brian Selznick's award-winning illustrated book "The Invention of Hugo Cabret," is about a 12-year-old orphan who lives in a 1930 Paris train station. (AP Photo/Paramount Pictures, Jaap Buitendijk)— AP

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In this image released by Paramount Pictures, Asa Butterfield portrays Hugo Cabret in a scene from "Hugo." The film, adapted from Brian Selznick's award-winning illustrated book "The Invention of Hugo Cabret," is about a 12-year-old orphan who lives in a 1930 Paris train station. (AP Photo/Paramount Pictures, Jaap Buitendijk)
/ AP

‘Hugo’

My favorite movie this year (with an honorary mention to “Drive” and “The Descendants”) is “Hugo.” Martin Scorsese travels far from his “Mean Streets” of New York to share this visually intoxicating tale set in 1930s Paris. I was particularly enthralled with Scorsese’s use of the color blue — from the color of Hugo’s eyes to the various props, costumes, lighting and even smoke... I was completely charmed by this movie.

— Matt Alioto, 45, videographer at UCSD-TV

In this film publicity image released by Sony Pictures Classics, Owen Wilson, left, and Rachel McAdams are shown in a scene from, "Midnight in Paris." (AP Photo/Sony Pictures Classics)— AP

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In this film publicity image released by Sony Pictures Classics, Owen Wilson, left, and Rachel McAdams are shown in a scene from, "Midnight in Paris." (AP Photo/Sony Pictures Classics)
/ AP

‘Midnight in Paris’

“Midnight in Paris” was by far my favorite movie this year. It’s about a man who travels through different decades and meets many interesting people such as famous artists, writers and musicians, all of whom lived in Paris at various times. I learned a lot, and I thought it was an extremely interesting idea, as are all of Woody Allen’s films. I found the movie to be funny, charismatic and even a little romantic. If you’re in the mood to visit a different time and place, this would be a great movie for you!

— Casey Purlia Johnson, 14, University City High School freshman

‘One Day’

I enjoy movies that are mysteries, keep me on the edge of my seat or appeal to my life. I’d have to say my favorite was probably “One Day” with Anne Hathaway. It was a sad romance. I liked it because it wasn’t happily ever after. “One Day” was more of a real scenario. It didn’t give you false hope and make you bummed that your life wasn’t like that.

Rachelle Lopez, 16, Escondido Charter High School junior

‘Super 8’

This movie balanced grand-scale storytelling with really detail-oriented and heartfelt slices of 1979 Americana. I think director J.J. Abrams is going to do some good things over the next few years. Also, the young actors absolutely nailed their roles.

— Kevin Terrell, 25, law student/radio host

‘Water for Elephants’

One phenomenal movie I have seen this year is “Water for Elephants,” the adaptation of a best-selling novel I have yet to read but hope to in the near future. I loved it because it was kind of magical, and it brought the childlike wide-eyed wonder of the circus back into our perspective. The beginning of the movie was reminiscent of “The Titanic,” and a strange, bittersweet love triangle was omnipresent as well. It was a “different” movie, which is what I like.